This largely Appalachian species is typical of mesic acid soils under Tsuga canadensis, Betula lenta and associated trees. In Ky., it does occur further west in a few disjunct sandstone ravines of the Shawnee Hills. It is also known from several sites in se. Ohio and s. Ind. (K). In the Great Lakes region and upper midwest, blanda is replaced by the closely related incognita; see notes under that name.